Supreme Court Refuses Urgent Hearing on Plea to Cancel India–Pakistan Asia Cup Match

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to urgently hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking cancellation of the India–Pakistan cricket match scheduled for September 14 in the Asia Cup T20 tournament.

A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi turned down repeated requests from the petitioner’s counsel to list the matter on Friday. “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be,” Justice Maheshwari said. When told the match was on Sunday and the plea would become infructuous if not heard immediately, the judge was blunt: “Match is this Sunday? What can we do about that? Let it be. The match should go on.”

The petition, filed by four law students, argued that India playing against Pakistan so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor undermines national interest and dishonors the sacrifices of armed personnel and civilians.

“Playing with Pakistan sends the opposite message—that while our soldiers are sacrificing their lives, we are celebrating sports with the same country sheltering terrorists,” the plea said, adding that the match could hurt the sentiments of victims’ families.

The students also sought broader reforms, asking the court to direct the government to implement the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and bring “season ball” cricket under a recognized National Sports Federation. They contended that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should be brought under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports once the Act comes into force.

The bench, however, dismissed the urgency of the matter with Justice Maheshwari remarking, “Every day, one side, other side, there’s a match… one ball…”